UofL

At the Digestive Surgery Research Laboratory, we are fortunate to have researchers from across the United States and abroad who share our enthusiasm and commitment to transform patients' lives through medical research. Their desire for knowledge and understanding drives them in their quest to prevent, better manage, and, one day, cure digestive diseases. As they painstakingly unravel the mysteries of digestive diseases, they are forging new pathways of discovery.  

The Price Institute of Surgical Research funds one or two "Price Fellows" each year so that they may obtain a doctorate in philosophy (Ph.D.) while conducting research in the  Digestive Surgery Research Laboratory. To learn more about our current research please view our publications.

The Digestive Surgery Research Laboratory is located in the Medical Dental Research Building on Floyd Street within the Price Institute for Surgical Research.

We are currently seeking a new Research Fellow to begin January or June, 2024

Price Research Fellow Application

1. For general surgeons-in-training seeking career advancement or future focus (Ph.D. in Physiology)
2. English language skills and a verifiable training slot to which to return upon completion, are essential.
3. Must send CV and potential references to Susan Galandiuk M.D. mreich01@louisville.edu
4. Salary and benefits are funded by the Price Institute Trust, commensurate with level of surgical training.
5. Previous fellows have been sponsored by the Department of Surgery for a J1 Visa.
6. For more information or questions please email Susan Galandiuk M.D. mreich01@louisville.edu

For more information please click here

 Our laboratory focuses on basic molecular research into gastrointestinal diseases including: 

• Crohn's disease
• ulcerative colitis
• colorectal cancer

We encourage teamwork—both in the laboratory and in collaboration with researchers at regional, national and international institutions. Together, we apply our expertise to statistical analysis, pathological interpretation, and genetics research. 

We have Current Research Collaborations with the following investigators:

Aruni Bhatnagar, PhD, FAHA

    Professor of Medicine, University of Louisville

    Director, Diabetes and Obesity Center

    Distinguished University Scholar

Mark Evers, MD, FACS

    Mark McDowell Cancer Foundation Chair in the Lucille P. Markey Cancer Center

    Director, Markey Cancer Center

    Physician-In-Chief, Oncology Service

    Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Louisville       

    Core Director, Kentucky IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (KY INBRE)

Julia Chariker, PhD

Kentucky IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (KY INBRE)

Our clinical research fellows have access to, and gain experience with, the latest drugs as well as surgical techniques for digestive disorders. This unique focus on medical and surgical treatments allows us to offer some of our patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials of new medications or to take advantage of new surgical procedures for inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. 

Our research fellowship programs challenge new investigators to think about these disorders in innovative ways, while advancing medical and surgical careers.

Our surgeons in training regularly present their research results at major national and international scientific meetings. Over the past fifteen years, six of our research fellows have obtained a PhD degree during their tenure in our laboratory.

We actively facilitate the careers of undergraduate, and medical school students. More than half of the summer undergraduate students whom we have mentored have gone to medical school.

Please view our Research Fellows

 In ranking Louisville, Kentucky, as one of America’s most livable cities, the Places Rated Almanac merely confirms what Louisvillians already know: Louisville is both a comfortable and exciting place to be. To get an idea of what Louisville is like, please read this New York Times article "36 Hours in Louisville".

Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and serves as the hub of a 7-county (4 in KY, and 3 in Southern IN) metropolitan area of 1,043,449 people, according to the 2000 census. Geographically, the city is centrally located in the eastern half of the United States, on the southern bank of the Ohio River – in an area known as the Ohio Valley.

The climate is moderate and seasonal. We have warm summers, temperate winters, beautiful springs, and colorful falls.

You will find it easy to get to Louisville. Louisville International Airport is located just 15 minutes from downtown, at the junction of I-65 and I-264. The major interstates serving Louisville are I-65, I-64, I-71, I-264 and I-265. Commuting is generally simple and quick.

The cost of living is moderate, with a median price for an existing single-family home of approximately $150,000, and the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment of $750/month. Most of the residents at the University of Louisville are homeowners.

The diversity of Louisville’s arts and entertainment scene rivals that of much larger cities. The critically acclaimed Actors Theater – one of the nation’s most vibrant regional theaters – shares the spotlight with the Kentucky Opera, the Louisville Ballet, and the touring Broadway Series.

The Speed Art Museum, the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Frazier Museum, the Louisville Slugger Museum, and the Louisville Science Center are just a few of the various attractions frequented by visitors and residents alike.

Museums, musical societies, and art fairs add flavor to Louisville’s cultural menu. The Kentucky Center for the Arts, the historic Brown Theater, and the art-deco Louisville Palace Theater all offer various forms of live entertainment. If you tastes are more modern, Fourth Street Live is a unique new entertainment venue.

Outdoor recreation is plentiful. There are 140 public parks, 9 public golf courses, 226 public tennis courts, 13 outdoor and 2 indoor public swimming pools, as well as biking and jogging routes in, and around, the city. Frederick Law Olmstead, he father of American landscape architecture and the designer of New York City’s Central Park, designed three of Louisville’s major urban parks and their connecting parkways,

Sports fans have lots to choose from in Louisville. Papa John’s Cardinal Football Stadium is home to the nationally ranked UofL football team – 2013 Sugar Bowl Champions. You may have heard that Kentuckians are fanatical about basketball? Coach Rick Pitino’s Cardinal Basketball team was the 2013 NCAA Basketball Champion and play games in front of a packed crowd at The KFC Yum! Center, a $238 million, 22,500-seat basketball and multipurpose arena. Louisville Slugger Field, home to the minor-league Louisville Bats, is a beautiful facility with great ballpark food. The move to the ACC has taken place which promises outstanding competition in all sports for UofL and the city of Louisville!

Horse racing at the world famous Churchill Downs is a major community focus. The most exciting 2 minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby, takes place on the 1st Saturday of May. Derby is preceded by the 2-week long Kentucky Derby Festival, which includes an enormous firework and air show, a hot-air balloon race, the steamboat race, the Pegasus Parade, and much more.

The Louisville Zoo is open year-round and features special interpretive programs. In addition to its regular exhibits, the Gorilla Forest is a must see.

Children and spouses will find excellent educational opportunities in Louisville. There are 14 colleges and universities, including UofL. Jefferson County Public Schools offer a variety of elementary, middle and high school programs ranging from traditional and technical programs to a Youth Performing Arts School. The Math, Science and Technology programs have gained national recognition. In addition, parochial and private schools have flourished in Louisville for many years.

And finally…the medical facilities in Louisville are unsurpassed in the region and are a great source of pride to the city. Louisville and its medical community are always eager to welcome the brightest, most promising young talent to the UofL Surgery Research Program. We invite you to share in the excitement of living and working here.